Archives for 2014

For Your Viewing Pleasure, the New MAC Keepsakes Nude Lip Bag and Kristin Perry Jewel Saturation Necklace

October 14th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

First, for your viewing pleasure, Tabs in a rhinestone necklace…

“Day. Officially. Made.” says the woman who lives for chunky kitties in statement jewelry. 🙂

The bling, by the way, is the $68 Jewel Saturation Necklace by Kristin Perry, which Tabs likes because the Art Deco-ness of it makes him feel like he’s in The Great Gatsby.

Next, also for your viewing pleasure, there’s the new limited edition Keepsakes Nude Lip Bag from the MAC Keepsakes holiday collection ($39.50 US, $47.50 CAD).

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Nothing Says “I Love Shimmer!” Like the New MAC Objects of Affection Pink and Rose Pigments and Glitter Set

October 14th, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

MAC Objects of Affection Pink + Rose Pigments + Glitter — The $35 MAC Objects of Affection Pink and Rose Pigments and Glitter Set

Should I dab a little on my lids or in the inner corners? How about above or below my brow bone? On top of my upper cheekbones? My Cupid’s bow? Maybe I should mix a little in with my body lotion to sparkle-fy my shoulders and legs. Or, should I just pour the entire jar over myself like I’m a bad girl in a Billy Idol video? (Note to self: Do not stick out your tongue if you do this, because that would be a bad idea.)

Ah…just think of all the shimmery, sparkly things you could do with the new MAC Objects of Affection Pink and Rose Pigments and Glitter Set. Great for girls who like choices. 🙂

The $35 set ($42 CAD), one of four MAC Pigments and Glitter sets coming October 27 to maccosmetics.com and November 6 to stores, includes five little bottles (0.09 ounces each), four of them loose MAC Pigments and the other a MAC Glitter.

Two of the Pigments — pinkish brown Tan (which looks great on lids with Saddle and Soft Brown in the crease) and plummy brown Heritage Rouge — are favorites of mine, but I like the entire selection. Good choices for colors to wear with fall’s rich burgundies, purples and coppers.
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What Foundation Have You Been Wearing, and Are You Happy With It?

October 14th, 2014 by Karen 73 Comments

GURL, if someone took away my bottle of Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fluide Foundation, I would go full-on Walking Dead Ricksanity on that @ss, improv shiv and ALL. It is the business. It’s been my can’t-live-without-it foundation for months.

It’s my go-to foundation for pics because it covers everything and mellows out my pores (cue blessed makeup angels harmoniously singing). I also grab it whenever I’m in the mood for a matte finish (can even skip powder).

Lightweight? Yup. Comfortable? Uh-huh. Doesn’t break me out? Yes, yes, YES! And it comes in a ton of shades. I wear the one called Chai, as in “Oh, CHAI!” or, “I’ll have a venti pumpkin soy chai latte please, hold the foam.”

I’m still a MAC Face & Body fan/fiend 4-Life, but I like having another holy grail foundation I can turn to. Sometimes I’ll even layer both of them, applying MAC Face & Body all over my face with my fingers, then blending Flawless Fluide on my cheeks, nose and around my chin (where I like to have more coverage) with a Beauty Blender — which totally helps with Flawless Fluide, by the way, which can look super matte. The BB makes it look really natural.

What foundation have you been wearing, and are you happy with it? Tell me all about it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara Is More Dramatic Than a Soap Opera Cliffhanger Before a Commercial Break

October 13th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

Do I want a mousy mascara, a timid one that keeps its eyes glued to the floor, too nervous to embrace the music and attack the dance floor with verve!

No.

How about a mascara that shushes me when I laugh a little too loudly in public, then says, “Be quiet! You’re making a scene and attracting to much attention”?

Not a chance.

Or a mascara that never wants to go out? It just wants to stay at home and watch Law and Order and fall asleep by 8:30?

ABSOLUTELY EFFING NOT.

I want a mascara that hits the gas and takes my hand while looking straight into my eyes and yelling, “We’re about to Thelma and Louise this ish, boo!” as our convertible dives off the cliff! 🙂

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 342

October 13th, 2014 by Karen 20 Comments

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

If I ever become rich and famous I’m going to __________.
- Ask Beyonce and Jay-Z over for tea.
- Yell at the paparazzi to “get the hell off my lawn!”
- Start a rescue cat sanctuary and adoption center (complete with hugely elaborate outdoor cat enclosure play space) for needy Northern California kitties.
- Buy a Volvo with fantastic side visibility and power locks. (My current car doesn’t have automatic locks, and I hate when I’m walking to my car someplace isolated or dark, like an indoor parking structure, and I have to get my keys out to open the door. Doesn’t feel safe.) I’m not a car person at all, but I’ve always wanted a Volvo. I hear they’re supposed to be very safe and reliable.
- Fly first class to Thailand for vacation on a whim.
- Build a fancy personal library.
What’s a mascara you find yourself buying over and over again?
Good, old reliable Chanel Le Volume de Chanel. I never get tired of the great volume and curl hold, and it has TONS of big drama.

Your biggest boy band crush (or any band, for that matter) growing up?
“You’ve got the right stuff…baby.” (Um, NKOTB, hello!)

Ponchos: yes or no?
OK, I like the idea of wearing something that resembles a blanket (you can sleep in it any ol’ time!), but I’m going to have to go with no. I’ve tried ’em, and they don’t work for me. I look like I belong in Middle Earth.
In general, is your daytime makeup routine very different from your going out/evening makeup routine?
Actually, not really. I don’t have any strict rules when it comes to colors or coverage for daytime versus night. As long as I feel good in what I’m wearing, I’m down for whatever.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. If I ever become rich and famous I’m going to __________.
2. What’s a mascara you find yourself buying over and over again?
3. Your biggest boy band crush (or any band, for that matter) growing up?
4. Ponchos: yes or no?
5. Is your daytime makeup routine very different from your going out/evening makeup routine?

Hello, sweet friend!

Before I get to your Karl quote of the week, The Walking Dead season premiere last night. I haven’t seen it yet! We got in a little late last night, but I recorded it, so I’m going to watch it tonight. Please, no spoilers. I beg you.

And for your Karl-Lag quote for the week..

“What I love best in life is new starts.”

— Karl Lagerfeld

Me, too, Karl. Me too. On that note, I hope your Monday got off to a great start. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 317

October 12th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

This post is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan #proplancatpartner. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

Tabs is taking a well-deserved nap after finishing the final installment of Legacy, his three-part graphic novel. He’s upstairs sleeping on my Zella sweatshirt on the bed.

Here’s the final version before it hits newsstands and comic book stores. He insisted that his fans on Makeup and Beauty Blog see it first. 🙂

Hope you enjoy!

Here are parts one and two, followed by the thrilling conclusion in part three…
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7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

October 11th, 2014 by Karen 320 Comments

Only one long training run left before the half marathon next week! I think I finally got the chafing under control, thanks to the CW-X Running Bra and good old-fashioned Vaseline, and I’m going to try out the neat-looking Roo Sport Fitness Pouch, a small belt-less pouch with a magnetic fastener for carrying your cell phone, ID, credit card and, in my case, two Tri Berry GU Energy Gels, today on the treadmill.

But first! — Gilmore Girls and giveaways. 🙂

I am so hooked on that show it’s ridiculous. I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything else. I just want to sit on the couch watching Gilmore Girls and fantasize about living in the town of Stars Hollow. I could have breakfast and coffee at Luke’s Diner and then go shop for makeup at Stars Hollow Beauty Supply, LOL!

See, I told you. Ridiculous.

Well, that’s it for me. Good luck in this weekend’s giveaway, and hopefully I see you in the comments or on Twitter and Instagram today. Have a great caturday, my friend! Good luck!

One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Open to U.S. and international readers.
You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- What’s your favorite fictional town (town from a TV show, book or movie)?
- Have you ever painted a room or a piece of furniture yourself?
- Best indie or up-and-coming makeup brand?
- Are you going to dress up this year for Halloween? Do you have your costume figured out?
- Have you ever slept on a waterbed?
- Honestly, have you ever pet a penguin (I’d be surprised if anyone says yes to this!)?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Swatches and Pics of the New NARS Laced With Edge Holiday Collection Lipglosses in Burning Love, Corsica and Soleil D’Orient

October 10th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

NARS Lipglosses from the Laced With Edge Holiday collection from the left: Corsica, Soleil D'Orient and Burning Love

To quote the great Elvis Presley, “Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature risin’!”

Could it be? — Burning Love? A NARS Lipgloss named after my favorite Elvis song, ever?

BURNING LOVE!

Something tells me The King might not be edgy enough (anymore) to get his own too-cool-for-school NARS reference, but a girl can dream… I want to believe that The King’s rhinestone-encrusted jumpsuits played a part in this shimmer. 🙂

Burning Love, a bright ruby with subtle shimmer, is one of three new $26 Lipglosses in the 13-pieced Laced With Edge holiday collection, along with shimmery pink raspberry Corsica and shimmery pink champagne Soleil D’Orient.

You can find them twinkling at NARS boutiques and online October 15, and at department and specialty stores beginning November 1.

Same NARS gloss formula, non-sticky, unflavored and comfortable, even on my dry lips.